the best 1911

[1slo10]

The best 1911 for the gun range and stoot the holy crap out of it?Under $1,200.Kimber,S&W,STI,SPRINGFIELD,COLT or any others that are good 1911 makers

[SVTNate]

I'd pay just a little over $1,200 and get a Les Baer. I have seen the Premier II for around $1,300. Some think it's too tight of a gun, but you can't deny that it's a well made gun, hand fit, with no MIM parts. Offhand, I can't think of anything cheaper that can make these claims.

I've seen the Springfield TRP for a bit over a thousand bucks, which is also a great gun. It has some hand fitting, but it's still a production gun and has MIM parts. I bought one a couple weeks ago. It's a tack driver... but I'm still sending it to the Springfield Custom Shop for Ed Brown internals, a trigger job, and hard chrome. I'll end up about 2 grand in the hole for it.

Another route is to pick up a Springfield Mil-Spec. You'll have 700 bucks or so left over to do hand fitting, upgrade to tool steel parts, refinish, sights, beavertail, or whatever else you'd like.

Rock River Arms is another great option for a semi-custom 1911 that may be in your price range, but I haven't looked into them too much since I can't buy one here in CA.

[Jim Ewing]

I'll second the Les Baer Premier II. I use mine for CCW, nightstand and IDPA. It is nothing but reliable.

[TacticalShot]

At that price range, STI Trojan in hard-chrome.

http://fernando.smugmug.com/photos/44281011-M.jpg

[1991]

Wow! You can buy a number of different makes of tricked-out 1911s for $1,200. Or 2 basic Colts. Or 3 Springfield GIs. Or get a base gun and have it customized by a really good gunsmith. Of course, it really depends on what you want a "really good" range gun to do and exactly how you are going to "shoot the holy crap" out of it.

<-- see my username... hint, hint

[jsanti13]

S&W 1911

;c

[BilltheCat]

Teddy Jacobson a great smith, feels that a 5" Springfield GI Mil-spec is the way to go for the money (400-500)

If you wanted to get a trigger job, or other reliability tuning you would still save money over the fancy guns with mim parts.

[Another19]

Originally posted by BilltheCat
Teddy Jacobson a great smith, feels that a 5" Springfield GI Mil-spec is the way to go for the money (400-500)

If you wanted to get a trigger job, or other reliability tuning you would still save money over the fancy guns with mim parts.

Is there anything he feels NEEDS to be done to them to make them reliable and durable? I see that this question could be taken the wrong way, but it is a serious question. See "loose breech" thread.

[freepatriot]

My Springer 1911 Mil Spec (not GI 45) runs great on all ammo right out of the box, have not had a gun-related jam yet.

[SilverState]

Originally posted by jsanti13
S&W 1911

;c

You could get the scandium-framed 1911PD and still have $400 left over for practice ammo, Wilson 47D mags, VZ grips, and a tritium front sight.

http://sincitypitbulls.freeservers.com/SW1911PD.JPG

[cjblackmon]

Hands down the best pistol all around. It really is a lot better than the Les Baers or the Ed Browns! Why spend a $1500 to $2500 on a Baer or Brown when you can get the quality of a Charles Daly for a few hundred bucks? The guns made from the metals of the Philippines really rival that of the American made 1911's! Kimber...eh. They're okay if you want to blow the money as well. Hi Point has some really nice guns as well.

[live-free-r-die]

I have a guy here in Denver who builds 1911's. He is currently offering a "purist" model. It has Novak sights, single side saftey, military length guide rod, no MIM parts, shoots 1.5 inches at 25 and will cycle empty cases. He is selling them for around $1100. Let me know if you want his email.

[prezzz]

Originally posted by cjblackmon
Hands down the best pistol all around. It really is a lot better than the Les Baers or the Ed Browns! ........ The guns made from the metals of the Philippines really rival that of the American made 1911's!

Good one!;i April Fools in November?

[cjblackmon]

Originally posted by prezzz
Good one!;i April Fools in November?

I'm glad that you saw it that way. I was afraid a lot of people would start bashing me for that comment thinking I was serious.

[aglocker1911]

I'm going to have to put a vote in for my new ccw, Sigs new Revolution 1911. Novak night sights, checkered front strap, tight barrel to slide and slide to frame fit (at least on mine) and best of all, No MIM. The $899 price leaves enough money for a good holster and lots of ammo. Good luck.

[kraigster414]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kraigster414/SW1911sc/smith1911novaktrits003.jpg

Best current out of the box 1911 for under a grand (just under) is the Smith and Wesson 1911 Scandium. I say this becasue everyone who has one it seems (myself included) is very impressed with the fit, finish, reliability, and overall quality of this weapon. I own the Commander and it's become my regular carry gun.

[cjblackmon]

kraigster414,

You'll do anything just to have a reason to show off your Smith & Wesson and those grips! LOL! By the way I got mine (Rings of Saturn Grips), I haven't put them on yet (I keep forgetting to buy a torx set so I can take my old grips off).

I'll probably just wait and throw them on my Leatham Legend when it comes in.

[kraigster414]

Originally posted by cjblackmon
kraigster414,

You'll do anything just to have a reason to show off your Smith & Wesson and those grips! LOL! By the way I got mine (Rings of Saturn Grips), I haven't put them on yet (I keep forgetting to buy a torx set so I can take my old grips off).

I'll probably just wait and throw them on my Leatham Legend when it comes in.

LOL. I now have these on now (slim line Aluma Grips with my initials) and a new suprise set of grips on their way. I'm a grip nut! :)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kraigster414/SW1911sc/sw1911scwithalumagrips001.jpg

[kraigster414]

Gee, I almost forgot I had these. :) Wilson's cocobolo slimline. Very nice as well.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kraigster414/SW1911sc/wilsongrips002.jpg

And I still have a surprise or two on its way!

[FLIPPER 348]

S&W 1911 Sc (even with the evil external extractor) 'round $800 in these parts

[PrincipalGlock]

Why not consider a Dan Wesson Patriot Expert CBOB in 45acp or 10 mm. If I had a thousand bucks that is exactly what I would do. No question.

[antediluvianist]

Originally posted by cjblackmon
I'm glad that you saw it that way. I was afraid a lot of people would start bashing me for that comment thinking I was serious.

Nah, you're not serious. You're just a conceited ass.

[6285108]

Originally posted by antediluvianist
Nah, you're not serious. You're just a conceited ass.

All because he joked about a spade being a spade;Q

[cjblackmon]

Originally posted by antediluvianist
Nah, you're not serious. You're just a conceited ass.

Sorry if I offended you. I didn't think a lot of people really like the Daly's. I don't know why you'd say I was "concieted" though.

[BilltheCat]

hmmm. could it be the best 1911 is the one in our hand?

and Teddy does seem to think all guns need work. He says they just arent built so well anymore. remember he gets paid to work on guns.

I happen to think my Kimber is just fine thank you.

[MBrooks]

.

[federali]

Various 1911s are tauted as the best 1911 by their owners, who then say they took the gun to this or that gunsmith to do a trigger job, take out the MIM parts etc. The best 1911 is the one that's combat ready straight from the box. We've all heard stories of guns getting gunsmithed and ruined, hopefully not often.

I'd go with a Les Baer or an S&W 1911 or any other 1911 that doesn't require that brand new parts be swapped out---excluding sights.

[BilltheCat]

even the baer can be problamatic. I had a Baer Stinger and it was both a joy and a nightmare.

shoot perfect for 500 rds then fail to eject or sometimes fire for 50.

and it was so tight that any dirt at all would seize it up.

[mavrick]

The "best" 1911 ? Like some have already pointed out, what's best actually depends on what you want your gun to do. In the 800 to 1000 dollar range, I'd say get a Smith or an STI. In the 1000 to 1500 dollar range, I'd say get a Rock River. I have two RRA's, and mine so far, have been nothing short of excellent. In the 1500 to 2500 range, I'd say Rock River, Nighthawk, or Ed Brown. And over 2.5 K, talk to a good smith and have him build exactly what you want.

I'll say right up front, I am not by any means an expert. I do shoot alot, I compete and I do my to pursue some kind of "professional training" at least once a year. My comments are based strictly on personal experince and on what I've seen in IPSC, IDPA, and in class..

Good luck with whatever you end up with..!!

Cheers

mavrick

[ramptester]

I love to go to the range and shoot as many rounds of 45 as I can. that being said, the only thing holding me back from a 1911SC S&W is the external extractor. I like a gun that I can completely disassemble (at least all the moving parts) and thoroughly clean. Having been a mechanic in a previous life, I know what kind of crud can build up behind carbon deposits that are exposed to flashes of heat. The external unti on the Smith is not designed to be removed except to replace it.

[SilverState]

Originally posted by ramptester
I love to go to the range and shoot as many rounds of 45 as I can. that being said, the only thing holding me back from a 1911SC S&W is the external extractor. I like a gun that I can completely disassemble (at least all the moving parts) and thoroughly clean. Having been a mechanic in a previous life, I know what kind of crud can build up behind carbon deposits that are exposed to flashes of heat. The external unti on the Smith is not designed to be removed except to replace it.

Nothing a can of brake clean can't solve.

[1slo10]

Well paid for my new S&W1911 today got to wait til thursday to pick up the 30day rule.I can't wait to stoot this baby I will post pics and range report.

[ramptester]

Silverstate,
I agree that brake cleaner is a wonderful tool. However, it is only effective on liquid or easily dissolvable greasy crud. It won't remove, for instance, the carbon buildup on or inside parts exposed to high heat, like the inside of an exhaust manifold. What you need in those type places is old fashioned elbow grease, a chipper, and a wire brush. (or you may be referring in jest to our previous post regarding brake cleaner, in which case, ;e )

[SilverState]

I was referring to my Smith & Wesson scandium 1911PD with an external extractor. An old toothbrush and some brake clean followed by some rem oil does wonders.